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This is Keith. He lived without hope. Then in 2001, he came to Damascus Way. Here is his story.

 

    "Life is not worth living," thought Keith. "There's just no point in struggling anymore." This desperate man had been through detox over 100 times. In and out of alcohol treatment centers over 15 times. Nothing worked. Hope was lost and he had totally given up.

 

    Alcohol was the constant thread that identified Keith's life since the age of 12. Family members were alcoholics, so drinking and drug abuse were normal behavior. His alcohol habit first landed him in jail at age 17. There the judge gave him a choice: more jail time or serve in the military. Keith entered the Armed Forces and went to Germany, continuing his drug and alcohol abuse there.

 

    Back in the United States, his drinking drove Keith into a miserable pattern of success, then ruin. He successfully married, had a son, achieved a degree ... then lost everything. He entered treatment and became sober ... then crashed. Time after time, year after year, Keith recovered his sobriety and climbed out of his hole ... then fell backward again, demolishing any chance of freedom from his habits. He now admits that he was trying to do everything on his own during that time. Keith eventually became a homeless man, doing things he never believed he was capable of doing ... and ended up in prison.

 

    In prison, Keith met a Christian inmate who became his friend. Through this man, Keith accepted Christ as his Savior, and started down the road to sobriety one more time. The prison chaplain recommended Keith to Damascus Way, where we met him in 2001.

 

    At Damascus Way, Keith found structure and support. He found a program designed for hopeless, desperate men who are willing to give God a chance. Here are a few of the many changes in his life: He has a sponsor through AA. He's an active member of his church. He has a spiritual mentor and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. He enrolled in school and is one semester away from a degree in graphic design. You can see some of Keith's work on his website: www.diamonds-in-the-rough.com

 

    And what about his drinking? Previously, his longest stretch of sobriety was nine months. Today, Keith has been sober for over three years. "I give God credit for all the good things in my life," Keith says. "Damascus Way changed my life. This [staying sober] is a major accomplishment for me."

 

    Many more inmates just like Keith are in need of our help. Minnesota's average prison population in 2003 was just over 7,000 inmates. Each man's average sentence was 30 months. Each year, thousands of offenders are being released back into society and studies show that most struggle with chemical dependency issues.

 

    Your support is greatly needed! We need your help to serve the inmate population re-entering society. Please keep us in your prayers, and tell your friends about the special ministry of Damascus Way.

 

For the men of Damascus Way,

 

Rev. Dick Harden, Director

Damascus Way Reentry Center            

 

P.S. We are pleased to announce that you can now donate to Damascus Way on-line through JustGive.org     For you computer-savvy friends, this will be a welcome option! Let us know what you think of it!